Hi Weben,
Thats a sharp observation. A single PR would not be able to buy
a flat based on the criteria listed in the HDB website.
However, most foreigners from third world countries ( at least
those i know) are bringing their friends, their wives, their family
and siblings to Singapore. The age of marriage is quite
young in these developing countries, so a significant
proportion are married already.
One notable characteristic about the PRs couples/siblings is
that they are willing to share the flat they buy, hence their
willingness to pay high prices for HDB. They may buy a 4 room flat
at a high price and lease out 2 of the rooms to cover mortgage.
Singaporean married couples on the other hand are less willing
to explore such an option as they value privacy.
Yeah, I reckon most of these PRs who have bought flats will rent
out the additional rooms to their friends. Rentals can easily cover
part of their mortgage loan.
Singaporean couples on the other hand would want a home to start
a family, so unless they really needed money, they would not want
to rent out to strangers. 